Three Points: The LA Galaxy pick up important win in Stanford

STANFORD, Calif. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano’s Three Points to the club’s 1-0 California Clasico victory over the San Jose Earthquakes. Gyasi Zardes tallied the lone goal for the Galaxy in the win.

GYASI ZARDES COMES THROUGH AS LA GET THEIR GOAL

Dominating the possession battle is nothing new for the LA Galaxy, but against their greatest rivals, the LA Galaxy found the finish

ing touch that has eluded them all season.

LA held much of the ball throughout the match, but it was not until the 61st minute that the possession paiddividends. The goal came off a lovely bit of build-up play by the Galaxy as LA strung together seven passes before Marcelo Sarvas laid off a ball for Gyasi Zardes that he smashed into the back of the net. Zardes’ goal is his third goal in four games across all competitions but his first tally with his feet since the team’s Central California Cup victory over San Jose back in preseason.

The Galaxy were unlucky not to add to their tally in the closing stages of the game as midfielder Stefan Ishizaki saw an attempt rattle the far post with Zardes and Opare unable to slot the rebound past Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch.

KOFI OPARE AND TOMMY MEYER ENJOY MIXED PERFORMANCE IN CENTRAL DEFENSE

Despite earning the shutout against the team’s biggest rival, it was a mixed bag for the Galaxy center back tandem of Kofi Opare and Tommy Meyer.

Tasked with shutting down the wily Steven Lenhart, Opare was fortunate that the cagey Earthquakes striker’s finishing touch let him down on several occasions. The most dangerous moment came late as Lenhart skirted past Opare’s back shoulder forcing LA ‘keeper Jaime Penedo to make a last ditch save. While Opare was hassled by Lenhart, Meyer was steady on the opposite side.

With Omar Gonzalez’s return to the Galaxy still a question mark due to the United States’ participation at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the two young center backs will likely get another chance to refine their partnership next week against the Portland Timbers.

THE WIN THE LA GALAXY’S SEASON NEEDED?

The LA Galaxy have been yearning for a signature victory this season and, it appears, that at long last they may have found it.

The closing moments of the match looked quite similar to the LA Galaxy’s past trips to Stanford Stadium, but LA made the timely clearances and defensive stops necessary to maintain the result. Whether or not the result provides a springboard remains to be seen, but with the gritty win, it bodes well for the team’s upcoming slate.

With the bulk of the team’s schedule still to play and a match against the Portland Timbers looming next Friday, the victory could become a turning point for the LA Galaxy’s season.